We have a voice[NI]
Written by Ellen Finlay and Greg Irwin.
This briefing paper from the think tank Democratic Dialogue has been produced with the generous assistance of the Community Fund, the UK Carnegie Trust and BBC Children in Need. DD is also grateful for the continuing support of its core funders,Atlantic Philanthropies, the Community Relations Council, the Esmee Fairbairn Foundation, the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust and the Queen’s University of Belfast.
We are particularly indebted for their involvement to the young participants, who were drawn from the following schools and youth organisations across Northern Ireland: Edmund Rice College, Fivemiletown High School, Glenlola Collegiate, Youth Action Crossmaglen, Ballysillan/BenviewYouth Group, Forthspring Youth Group, Foyle Friend and Methodist College
Belfast.
Democratic Dialogue has always had a strong interest in young people and politics since it was established in 1995 and the Belfast-based think tank has again returned to the issue.
This time we sounded out the attitudes of young people—by which we mean teenagers—through informal discussions groups drawn from across Northern Ireland, balanced by gender, religion, urban/rural location and class.
The messages emerging were clear. Young people have a relatively high knowledge of basic political facts, but can struggle when it comes to understanding. They have a lukewarm interest in politics, but this general disposition conceals a much greater interest in particular issues—from war and poverty abroad to health and crime at home.
What passes for politics in Northern Ireland is not of great interest to young people. This is however mainly because of their negative assessment of progress in the talks between the parties in the region.
And they do think politics matters. While they may not be keen to join a party, they are quite willing to vote, sign a petition or even join a campaigning organisation. And they are just as interested in international as domestic affairs.
Young people identify clear barriers to their engagement in politics. They perceive politicians in a negative light and want them to engage with the issues in which young people are interested and to communicate with them in an effective way.
More positively, they know what would encourage them to be more politically engaged. Independent political education in school would aid their understanding. Mock parliaments would give them an opportunity to develop their skills. Parties and politicians better informed about, and focused on, youth concerns would gain their interest.
What young people don’t want is gimmicky or populist answers to the ‘apathy’ problem. They don’t particularly want to able to vote as soon as they’re 16—or, unless their security concerns are assuaged, to be able to do so by mobile phone.
Published March 2004, by Democratic Dialogue.
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